In-House Counsel

Highland Property Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Highland Group is seeking a senior in-house lawyer to establish and lead a new legal function within a growing real estate group in Sydney. You will report to the CEO and CFO, delivering commercial legal advice across property, leasing, compliance, disputes, regulatory matters and strategic transactions.

You will work autonomously with executives and operational leaders to manage risk, support growth, and guide complex legal matters to practical commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Australian Practising Certificate with Condition 2 removed for unsupervised practice.
• Minimum 6 years post-qualification experience in property/real estate law.
• Strong background in Property Law, Commercial Leasing, Litigation and Dispute Resolution.
• Experience advising on residential and commercial property transactions, acquisitions and disposals.
• Working knowledge of relevant NSW/QLD regulatory acts is highly desirable.
• In-house experience or advising real estate agencies is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and strategic advice to executives, sales teams, property managers and other business units.
• Manage disputes involving vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants, owners corporations, agents and other stakeholders.
• Draft, review and negotiate leases, agency agreements, property management agreements, rent roll sale agreements, employment and contractor agreements.
• Manage external legal advisers and ensure cost-effective outcomes.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal and regulatory risk across the business.
• Support acquisitions, office expansions and strategic growth initiatives as required.
• Assist with governance, compliance and risk management projects across the wider organisation.

Skills

Property Law

Commercial Leasing

Litigation

Dispute Resolution

Regulatory Matters

Contract Drafting

Negotiation

Stakeholder Management

Autonomous Working

Education

Australian Practising Certificate

Job description

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity for a senior lawyer to establish and develop an in-house legal function within a successful and growing real estate group.

Reporting directly to the CEO and CFO, you will act as a trusted adviser across all areas of the business, providing commercially focused legal advice on property, leasing, agency compliance, disputes, regulatory matters, employment issues and strategic transactions. You will work closely with executives, sales teams, property managers and operational leaders to manage risk, support growth initiatives and guide the business through complex legal and regulatory matters.

The role will suit an experienced lawyer who enjoys working autonomously, taking ownership of a broad and varied practice, and partnering with key stakeholders to deliver practical commercial outcomes.

About Highland Group

We are a leading real estate business operating across Residential Sales, Property Management, Project Marketing, Mortgages and Insurance.

Unlike many agencies, Highland operates an integrated in-house model with dedicated teams across Human Resources, Recruitment, Marketing, Compliance, Finance and Trust Accounting. As the business continues to grow, it is seeking to expand this model through the establishment of a dedicated legal function.

For over 19 years, Highland has been recognised as one of Australia's leading real estate brands, with offices across the Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Southern Highlands and Queensland. With more than 200 team members and an excellent reputation for professionalism, innovation and market leadership, Highland Group is committed to employee development, progression and long-term career growth.

Seeking an In-House Counsel Who Has

• Australian Practising Certificate (with Condition 2 removed for unsupervised practice)
• Minimum 6 years' post-qualification experience
• Strong background in Property Law, Commercial Leasing, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Experience advising on residential and commercial property transactions, acquisitions and disposals
• Working knowledge of the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002 (NSW) and the Property Occupations Act 2014 (QLD) (highly desirable)
• Experience dealing with regulatory matters involving government authorities and regulators, including the NSW Office of Fair Trading and equivalent interstate regulators
• Sound understanding of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) and other tenancy legislation applicable to residential and commercial property
• Experience preparing, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial documentation, including leases, agency agreements, property management agreements, rent roll sale agreements and commercial contracts
• Experience conducting and managing litigation, tribunal proceedings and disputes, including matters before NCAT, and other courts and tribunals
• Prior in-house legal experience, or experience acting for real estate agencies, property managers, or developers (highly regarded)

Responsibilities

• Providing legal and strategic advice to executives, sales teams, property managers and other business units
• Managing disputes involving vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants, owners corporations, agents and other stakeholders
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a broad range of legal documentation, including:
  • agency agreements
  • property management agreements
  • rent roll sale agreements
  • employment and contractor agreements
  • deeds, NDAs and other commercial agreements
• Managing external legal advisers and ensuring cost-effective outcomes
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating legal and regulatory risk across the business
• Supporting business acquisitions, office expansions and strategic growth initiatives as required
• Assisting with governance, compliance and risk management projects across the wider organisation

To Be Successful You Will Demonstrate

• Detailed familiarity with property, agency, leasing and tenancy legislation
• Litigation and dispute resolution experience
• Excellent commercial judgment and the ability to provide practical, business-focused legal advice
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Ability to operate autonomously and manage a diverse and fast-moving workload
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation and communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and risk management capability
• A pragmatic and solutions-focused approach to resolving legal and commercial issues
• A desire to contribute to the continued growth and success of the business

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.